Hunted elk in 21 for over 25 years so I will give you the low down on the unit.
1- Opening day is good but know that our kids get a two day head start in the unit so the elk will already be a little wound up by the time you get to hunt.
2- Day 1 is usually a complete circus in the majority of the unit. This year opens on a Sunday so the crowds will be down a wee bit.
3- I prefer around day 3-4. The party crowd has burnt out and went home and the elk will usually return to normal behavior.
4- Get set to see the most road hunting pig fuggers you’ve ever seen. They are mostly harmless to the elk population. Where we set up our main tent camp, we will have a minimum of 50 atv’s come ripping by our tents that day. This is in probably the most remote part of the unit that you can get vehicles into. Prepare yourself for the madness.
The good news….
1- You can find and kill elk just about anywhere in the unit.
2- Get your boots on and get away from the roads. 1000 feet of altitude is great but not necessary to find elk. Get away from the atv’s and you will find elk.
3- Get comfy with long romantic walks in the dark to do the above. Be where you want to be in the dark and stay until it’s dark.
4- Around the wilderness is just as good as in it.
5- Booze, flat landers and altitude don’t mix. The party crowd can’t repeatedly leave camp at 5am and chase elk until dark for many days. Elk love the party guys.
6- Get as far away from 70 as you can. This isnt say you can’t kill elk near it but you will have a much more enjoyable time.
Have fun. It really is a great unit to chase elk.
